Teleconference system with participant feedback

Abstract

A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided for facilitating teleconference-based meeting moderation by the addition of a “live feedback” feature, with instrumentation such as by means of an instant messaging systems when instant messaging conference systems equipped with this feature are used to supplement teleconferences, the participants provide instant feedback (anonymously, if desired) to the meeting moderator. The audience can let the moderator know their valuation of the current discussion. Based on feedback, the moderator can take appropriate action, such as to steer the conversation into areas that will be received favorably by the meeting participants.

1 . A method for processing a teleconference among a plurality of participants, said method comprising:
 establishing a first connected network, said first connected network being arranged to connect said participants together whereby each participant is enabled to communicate with others of said participants in a common teleconference;   establishing a second connected network, said second connected network being arranged to connect said participants together, said second connected network being separate from said first connected network; and   providing feedback means by which each of said participants is enabled to provide feedback to a designated one of said participants, said feedback being related to teleconference content of said common teleconference, said feedback being provided through said second connected network separately from said first connected network.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said common teleconference is an audio teleconference. 
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said common teleconference is a video teleconference. 
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  and further including providing said designated one of said participants with processing means for processing said feedback received from said participants. 
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  and further including providing said designated one of said participants with a display device for displaying results from said feedback from said participants. 
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said feedback means comprises participant input means, said participant input means further comprising selection devices, said selection devices being selectively operable by said participants to indicate approval or disapproval of a current segment of said teleconference content. 
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said processing means is configured to process said feedback to provide a quantitative measure of said feedback relative to a total number of said participants connected in said common teleconference, for predetermined segments of said teleconference content. 
   
   
       8 . A storage medium, said storage medium being selectively coupled to processing circuitry, said storage medium containing indicia readable by said processing circuitry for providing program signals for processing a teleconference among a plurality of participants, said program signals being effective for:
 establishing a first connected network, said first connected network being arranged to connect said participants together whereby each participant is enabled to communicate with others of said participants in a common teleconference;   establishing a second connected network, said second connected network being arranged to connect said participants together, said second connected network being separate from said first connected network; and   providing feedback means by which each of said participants is enabled to provide feedback to a designated one of said participants, said feedback being related to teleconference content of said common teleconference, said feedback being provided through said second connected network separately from said first connected network.   
   
   
       9 . The medium as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said common teleconference is an audio teleconference. 
   
   
       10 . The medium as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said common teleconference is a video teleconference. 
   
   
       11 . The medium as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said program signals are further operable for providing said designated one of said participants with processing means for processing said feedback received from said participants. 
   
   
       12 . The medium as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said program signals are further operable for providing said designated one of said participants with a display device for displaying results from said feedback from said participants. 
   
   
       13 . The medium as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said feedback means comprises participant input means, said participant input means further comprising selection devices, said selection devices being selectively operable by said participants to indicate approval or disapproval of a current segment of said teleconference content. 
   
   
       14 . The medium as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said processing means is configured to process said feedback to provide a quantitative measure of said feedback relative to a total number of said participants connected in said common teleconference, for predetermined segments of said teleconference content. 
   
   
       15 . A system for processing a teleconference among a plurality of participants, said system comprising:
 means for establishing a first connected network, said first connected network being arranged to connect said participants together whereby each participant is enabled to communicate with others of said participants in a common teleconference;   means for establishing a second connected network, said second connected network being arranged to connect said participants together, said second connected network being separate from said first connected network; and   means for providing feedback means by which each of said participants is enabled to provide feedback to a designated one of said participants, said feedback being related to teleconference content of said common teleconference, said feedback being provided through said second connected network separately from said first connected network.   
   
   
       16 . The system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said common teleconference is an audio teleconference. 
   
   
       17 . The system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said common teleconference is a video teleconference. 
   
   
       18 . The system as set forth in  claim 15  and further including processing means for processing said feedback received from said participants. 
   
   
       19 . The system as set forth in  claim 18  and further including a display device for displaying results from said feedback from said participants. 
   
   
       20 . The system as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said feedback means comprises participant input means, said participant input means further comprising selection devices, said selection devices being selectively operable by said participants to indicate approval or disapproval of a current segment of said teleconference content.